Patent GB-364211-A (GB)
Title: Method and machine for the manufacture of ampullas and the like glass bodies
IPC: C03B23/11
Filed: 1930-10-13
Abstract: 364,211. Ampoule manufacture. DICHTER, J., 4, M³nz Strasse, Berlin. Oct. 13, 1930, No. 30558. Convention date, May 22. [Class 56.] In the manufacture of ampoules, the steps of drawing the spear heads, constricting, bottom melting, and closing of the spear are carried out in immediate sequence. The ampoule is sterilized and evacuated by the heating and is sealed in this condition. The spear or spears is or are con. stricted on one or both shoulders and sealed simultaneously with the formation of the bottom of the next ampoule. A glass tube is held between clamping chucks and describes a determined path, preferably a circle, while being subjected to burner flames, pulling, and contracting. Several tubes may be carried simultaneously, the machine shown having eight sets of chucks and burners. Star plates 3, 5 and a wheel 4 are rigidly connected by bolts 6 and rotate about an axle 2. Each pair of - clamping chucks has a pair of rods 7 fixed between the stars 3, 5, the upper chucks 8 being fixed to the star 3, the lower chucks 10 slidable on the rods 7, and both closed by springs 12. A gear wheel 15 driven by a chain 14 from a shaft 13 rotates the chuck-carrying frame through worm gear 16 and collar 17. A shaft 20, rotated through bevel wheels 18, 19, engages through a cog wheel 21 with a gear wheel 22 rotatable about a disc 24. In each leg of the stars 3, 5 a shaft 25 is rotatable, having a cog wheel 26 meshing with the wheel 22, and cog wheels 27, 28 which rotate the chucks 8, 10, the lower cog 28 being coupled to move axially with the chuck 10. Burners 35, which make the spear heads, are connected by pipes 36 to a disc 37 rotating on a plate 24 having a channel 39 over part only of its circumference connected to a gas pipe 40. Gas is supplied intermittently to the burners and lit by a pilot jet. A constricting burner 41<1>, and a pair of burners 52 for melting the ampoule bottoms are .similarly fed by gas pipes 46, 57 connected to the grooved slide 55 on which slide 43 rotates. The pipes 41 have lever arms 48 with rollers 49 sliding on a cam plate 50, whereby the proximity of the burners 41<1>, each giving two parallel flames, is regulated. The chuck 8 is opened by a lever 59 lifted by a finger 60. The chuck 10 is opened and closed by a lever 63 moved by a suitable abutment to operate a finger 64. The body 34 of the chuck is moved axially by an abutment on a rod 69 having a roller 70 running over a cam rail 71, adjustable by a screw 75 for different lengths of ampoules and fitted with adjustable links 79. In position 1, Fig. 3, the bottom of the ampoule is already formed and momentary opening of chuck 8 allows it to fall on a plate 62. From positions 2 to 3, burner 35 heats the glass, and chuck 10 rises to its highest position, the jaws then being closed in passing to position 4 by the lever 63 operated by an abutment 67. In position 5 the burner is extinguished and chuck 10 now falls, forming a spear head. The constricting flames 41<1> operate at position 6 while a further slight drawing occurs from positions 6 to 6a, followed by, a slight rise to position 7 causing thickening of the glass. Burner 41<1> is extinguished and burners 52 are lit, the spear head and the bottom of the next ampoule being formed in passing to position 8, the chuck falling slightly. At 8a, chuck 10 opens and the ampoule is expelled. Chuck 8 then opens and the glass tube 9 falls on to the plate 62. To maintain a straight and central position before melting off and to regulate the depth of the constriction, guiding ribs are provided. In making ampoules with double spear heads, the spear head is sundered in the centres so that a spear also remains at the top. The plate 62 has a slot into which the lower spear slips and can then be constricted similarly to the upper one.